Devotional speaker challenges listeners to better utilize time

Douglas M. Andrus urged listeners to use their time carefully, during today’s devotional at BYU-Idaho.

February 23, 2010Writer: Writer: Colby Flint

Douglas M. Andrus, former president of the Nevada Las Vegas West Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, urged listeners to use their time carefully, during today's devotional at Brigham Young University-Idaho. "We either spend our time or invest our time," he said. "The value of my time has changed and continues to change for me as the fleeting years go by."

Throughout his address, Andrus spoke of influential moments, or "wake-up calls," in his life that changed his view of time forever. He told a story about sliding off the road while driving an tractor-trailor in a Utah snowstorm. He talked about an experience when his father nearly passed away, and another when his son died in a snowmobile accident. He also spoke of his diagnosis with multiple myeloma six years ago.

Andrus said these experiences taught him about the fragility of life, but they also increased his understanding of the spiritual, physical and emotional sides of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He learned that this life is the time to prepare, to perform and to improve: "We prepare by building upon the rock of Christ.... We perform by serving others.... We improve by ‘putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord....'"

Andrus ended his address the same way he began, telling listeners to pay attention to how they use their time. "Review your priorities," he said. "Ponder why you are really here. Listen to and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Don't take spiritual shortcuts. Stay on the strait and narrow path. There is a time appointed for every man. Don't spend time; invest it!"